Chris Christie: Republicans must welcome Latinos

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the GOP needed to do more to include Latinos on Thursday while campaigning for his gubernatorial reelection, saying Republicans should make Latinos “feel welcome and important” within his party.

“We cannot expect to get support from the Latino community if we don’t make the Latino community feel welcome and important in our party,” the possible 2016 presidential candidate said in a Hispanic community in New Jersey, according to The Star-Ledger.

BTC: Immigration reform in 2013

“It’s been the Republican Party that has always stood at the forefront of choice for parents on educational opportunity, and it’s been the Republican Party that has always believed in the rights of the individual,” Christie said, according to The Star-Ledger.

He added: “[Everyone] here in the Latino community, a community that is steeped in faith, understands that our faith in the country comes from the power of the individual to be able to pursue their faith openly, vigorously, and in way they believe helps to build and strengthen their families.”

His message seems to have been met with open arms. He picked up a gubernatorial endorsement from Latino Leadership Alliance Political Action Committee, which didn’t endorse him the first time he ran for office. Christie is running for reelection against Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono.